The annual migration of students has begun, with the influx
of young people providing a boost for Dunedin businesses.

Among those rushed off their feet by the returning masses was
Air New Zealand Dunedin airport manager Alistair Bevin, who
said the week before O-Week was one its busiest times of
year.

The annual rush of students flying into the city started at
the weekend and continued for about a week, Mr Bevin said.

The airline had increased its capacity ''dramatically'' to
keep up with demand, but it would still be a ''struggle''
finding a seat on any of the flights coming into the city
this week, he said.

The greatest difficulty for the airline was trying to squeeze
all the students' baggage on to the planes.

''They are bringing the flat with them. We make an allowance
for a full load of people with one or two bags each, but when
they are all coming with three or four bags, not to mention
the bikes and the surfboards ... it puts us under a strain.''

In the past, the airline had been forced to transport some
luggage by land from Christchurch, but Mr Bevin hoped that
would not be necessary this year.

Johns Furniture Warehouse store director Matt Williamson said
staff were especially busy for a few weeks around
Orientation.

''The guys are just flat stick all day at the moment, with
load after load of beds.''

Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Christie said
businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors would notice
a boost from the students coming back into town.

The students were often accompanied by their parents in the
first week, and they also spent money while in town and
stayed at local hotels, Mr Christie said.

The University of Otago vice-chancellor, Prof Harlene Hayne,
said that the arrival of stu-dents brought a ''unique sense
of vibrancy and vigour to Dunedin that lasts throughout the
academic year''.

''I warmly welcome them all and encourage them to make the
most of living and learning in our beautiful city,'' Prof
Hayne said.

Staff at the university were also excited about their return,
she said.

''There is an air of anticipation around campus as the
university community gears up for another year of supporting
the academic success of so many thousands of enthusiastic and
ambitious students''The university's most recent economic
impact report calculated that students added a value of more
than $260 million to Dunedin, she said.

Personally, I have always found Dunedin much better over the
summer months with no students around. And that's from
before, during and after my time at university. I liked it
way more with just Dunedin people here.

I'm no member of the anti brigade either! I'm sure they'd
find lots of negatives from the student influx.